What about getting your own representative in
equal representation?
The remark most often heard about district representation is that
it links the representatives so well to a specific district. How
that works in proportional representation is not that different.
Let's investigate this with one example. If a city (or county) has
ten district seats then ten people from these districts will get
a seat. In proportional or equal representation there are still
just ten seats, and while most of the elected officials are the
same in both systems, a few of the people are somewhat different.
The first major difference to notice is that there will be more
women on board, at least one, but possibly two or three more. Another
stratification that will take place is that citizens will have chosen
representatives according to their social status. Low income people
will be able to get a better representative to speak for them, while
on the other side of the spectrum a more outspoken pro-business
representative will take a seat.
Geographically, the outcome is almost the same. Almost. You will
still have your representative to go talk to about your local issue,
though the representative may be living further away. And yet, this
representative will listen to you better, because with equal representation
the outcome of the election is less certain than in district elections,
where incumbents have a more than excellent chance to get re-elected.
In equal representation there is more competition, and you can find
a better fit easily to who you want to represent you. So, all representatives
work harder for you, for only the best are secured to stay in their
seats. No person or party can afford to neglect the needs of all
in society. As an example, see how the poorest 10% in our society
are treated compared to the poorest 10% in other societies. The
graph shows the outcomes for nations set apart according to political
systems. Source: nationmaster.com
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